Why is Power Conservation Important?

At present we depend on fossil fuels, such as coal and oil (from which we produce petroleum in addition to other by-products) for energy provision for heating, electricity, powering vehicles. But it should be noted that there is only a limited amount of these natural fuels on earth. It takes millions of years and many dead organisms to create coal and oil. At the rate coal and oil is extracted and consumed, it is estimated that the supplies would not last more than a few hundred years. We therefore need to conserve these riches.
As fossil fuels are non-renewable and are limited, we should concentrate on alternative and renewable energy produced by wind, solar light and water, which is safe and economical. In Sri Lanka, with the geographical setting and availability of water, hydro power generation has proved to be highly economical and safe.

What can you do to help conserve energy? Here are a few simple tips.

 

  • When replacing old appliances, select the most energy-efficient models.
  • 1. Select products sized to suit your typical needs, rather than the biggest size available
  • 2. Look for the Energy Star Label to ensure your product saves energy and minimises pollution
  • 3. Opt for a front loading washing machine, which uses up to 70% less hot water than typical machines
  • 4. New energy-efficient refrigerators save 0.6 kg of CO2 annually compared with standard 1973 models
  • 5. Investing in a solar water heater saves 2.2 kg of CO2 each year
  • Replace the lights you most use with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.

90% of the energy consumed by an ordinary incandescent bulb is wasted. While energy-efficient bulbs might be more expensive initially, they will reduce your electricity bills in the long run by using just 1/4 of the energy used by common bulbs and lasting 8-12 times longer. One bulb can save 118.2 kg of CO2 each year.

  • Walk, bike, car pool, or use public transport whenever possible.

Each litre of gasoline you save protects the environment from 3 Kg of CO2 emissions. So if your car gets 10 km for each litre and you reduce your annual driving from 20,000 to 16,000 km, you'll save 200 kg of CO2.

  • Next time you're buying a car, select one that gets good mileage.

If your car gets 16 km per litre rather than 10 km, and you travel 16,000 km each year, you'll cut your yearly CO2 emissions by 375 kg.

  • Buy goods with minimal packaging to reduce the amount of waste you produce.

Reduce the amount of waste you produce – buy products with less packaging, select reusable rather than disposable products, and recycle. Each kilogram of waste you cut down on reduces CO2 emissions by at least 1 kg and saves energy. Eliminating half a large trash bag worth of garbage each week reduces at least 1100 kg of CO2 per year.

  • Plant shady trees around your home, and if you live in a warm climate, paint the house in a light colour, or if you live in a cold climate, paint it in a dark colour.
  • By planting shady trees and painting suitably, you can save up to 24,000 kg of CO2 emissions annually through reduced energy use. Further, every tree you plant will also directly absorbs about 50 kg of CO2 each year.
  • Coordinate with your employer to have energy-saving and waste-reduction procedures implemented at your workplace.

  • The Government policies on Energy.

1. National Energy Policy
http://www.energy.gov.lk/pdf/sri_lanka_energy_policy_2006.pdf

2. Renewable Energy Forecast
http://www.energy.gov.lk/sub_pgs/energy_renewable_intro_forcast.html

3. Policy Targets
http://www.energy.gov.lk/sub_pgs/energy_renewable_intro_policy.html



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Why is Power Conservation Important?

At present we depend on fossil fuels, such as coal and oil (from which we produce petroleum in addition to other by-products) for energy provision for heating, electricity, powering vehicles. But it should be noted that there is only a limited amount of these natural fuels on earth. It takes millions of years and many dead organisms to create coal and oil. At the rate coal and oil is extracted and consumed, it is estimated that the supplies would not last more than a few hundred years. We therefore need to conserve these riches.
As fossil fuels are non-renewable and are limited, we should concentrate on alternative and renewable energy produced by wind, solar light and water, which is safe and economical. In Sri Lanka, with the geographical setting and availability of water, hydro power generation has proved to be highly economical and safe.

What can you do to help conserve energy? Here are a few simple tips.

 

  • When replacing old appliances, select the most energy-efficient models.
  • Select products sized to suit your typical needs, rather than the biggest size available
  • Look for the Energy Star Label to ensure your product saves energy and minimises pollution
  • Opt for a front loading washing machine, which uses up to 70% less hot water than typical machines
  • New energy-efficient refrigerators save 0.6 kg of CO2 annually compared with standard 1973 models
  • Investing in a solar water heater saves 2.2 kg of CO2 each year
  • Replace the lights you most use with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.

90% of the energy consumed by an ordinary incandescent bulb is wasted. While energy-efficient bulbs might be more expensive initially, they will reduce your electricity bills in the long run by using just 1/4 of the energy used by common bulbs and lasting 8-12 times longer. One bulb can save 118.2 kg of CO2 each year.

  • Walk, bike, car pool, or use public transport whenever possible.

Each litre of gasoline you save protects the environment from 3 Kg of CO2 emissions. So if your car gets 10 km for each litre and you reduce your annual driving from 20,000 to 16,000 km, you'll save 200 kg of CO2.

  • Next time you're buying a car, select one that gets good mileage.

If your car gets 16 km per litre rather than 10 km, and you travel 16,000 km each year, you'll cut your yearly CO2 emissions by 375 kg.

  • Buy goods with minimal packaging to reduce the amount of waste you produce.

Reduce the amount of waste you produce – buy products with less packaging, select reusable rather than disposable products, and recycle. Each kilogram of waste you cut down on reduces CO2 emissions by at least 1 kg and saves energy. Eliminating half a large trash bag worth of garbage each week reduces at least 1100 kg of CO2 per year.

  • Plant shady trees around your home, and if you live in a warm climate, paint the house in a light colour, or if you live in a cold climate, paint it in a dark colour.
  • By planting shady trees and painting suitably, you can save up to 24,000 kg of CO2 emissions annually through reduced energy use. Further, every tree you plant will also directly absorbs about 50 kg of CO2 each year.
  • Coordinate with your employer to have energy-saving and waste-reduction procedures implemented at your workplace.

  • links to indicate the Government policies on Energy.

1. National energy policy
http://www.energy.gov.lk/pdf/sri_lanka_energy_policy_2006.pdf

2.renewable energy forecast
http://www.energy.gov.lk/sub_pgs/energy_renewable_intro_forcast.html

3. policy targets
http://www.energy.gov.lk/sub_pgs/energy_renewable_intro_policy.html


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